Lonely Power : Why Russia Has Failed to Become the West and the West Is Weary of Russia

Adapted from the Russian edition, this book analyzes the dominant stereotypes and myths that formed during the Putin presidency and that continue to hamper our understanding of Russia's current situation. Author Lilia Shevtsova explains the origins of such political cliches as \* Russia is not mature enough for democracy; \* Capitalism first, and democracy will follow; \* The humiliation of Russia by the West is the key cause of their soured relationship; \* Arms talks between Russia and the United States will help to reset the relationship. Shevtsova argues that an anti-mythology campaign is needed to deepen the understanding of Russia both within the Russian Federation and in the West, as well as to help nations build better policies toward Russia. Praise for Lilia Shevtsova's Russia-Lost in Transition An excellent volume ...highly recommended.A"-Choice Front cover Contents Letter to the Reader Ch. 1 Introduction Ch. 2 Collapse of the USSR: The West Caught Unawares Ch. 3 The West Regards Yeltsin Warily Ch. 4 Help or Wait? Ch. 5 Clinton Turns the West Around Ch. 6 Help Our Friend Boris at Any Cost Ch. 7 Europe Also Helps Ch. 8 Washington's Dictate or Moscow's Ch. 9 Moments of Truth for Russia Ch. 10 Western Disillusionment in Russia and Republican Attacks on Democrats in the United States Ch. 11 The Donors Could Not Resist Temptation Ch. 12 The Results of the 1990s: Who Is to Blame? Ch. 13 The Arrival of Putin and His Western Project Ch. 14 Hopes that Once Again Did Not Come to Pass Ch. 15 With the West and Against the West Ch. 16 Altruism and Pragmatism Ch. 17 Where Western Money Goes Ch. 18 The Medvedev-Putin Tandem Being Tested by Foreign Policy Ch. 19 The War in the Caucasus and What It Says About Russia Ch. 20 The Kremlin Starts Rebuilding Bridges With the West Ch. 21 How to Force the West to Work for Russia Ch. 22 The Valdai Club, or the Kremlin and Western Commentators Ch. 23 And Now for the Major Victories Ch. 24 How Russia Was Humiliated Ch. 25 Is There Reason to Take Offense? Ch. 26 On the "Center of Power," "De-Sovereignization," and Other Things Ch. 27 America the Model, America the Excuse Ch. 28 Who Derailed Modernization? Ch. 29 How to Combine the Incompatible, and Who Are "We"? Ch. 30 The Trial of NATO and Kosovo Ch. 31 Does NATO Threaten Russia? Ch. 32 What Other Nastiness Does the West Have in Store for Russia? Ch. 33 Why Moscow Needed the Balkans Ch. 34 Ukraine As Milestone Ch. 35 Where Is the Way Out? Ch. 36 Let's Make a Deal! Ch. 37 Let's Count Warheads Ch. 38 What Separates Russia and the West? Ch. 39 What it Would Be Better Not to Do Ch. 40 Western "Protectors" Ch. 41 How Serious Westerners Perceive Russia Ch. 42 On Interests and Values, and the Extent to Which the "Realists" Make a Convincing Case Ch. 43 How "Old" Europe Abandoned Its Mission Ch. 44 Why Russian Human Rights Advocates Are Dissatisfied Ch. 45 A Reconsideration Has Begun Ch. 46 How "New" Europe is Trying to Revive the European Mission Ch. 47 European Society Is Starting to Say What It Thinks Ch. 48 Kissinger Vs. Brzezinski Ch. 49 How Useful Is the League of Democracies and How Probably Is the Global Authoritarian Revanche? Ch. 50 The Obama Factor and the Idea of a "Reset Button" Ch. 51 What Do We Mean by the "Right DIrection" for U.S. Policy Toward Russia? Ch. 52 How We Were Taught A Lesson Ch. 53 Obama in Moscow and the Aftermath Ch. 54 The Russian Understanding of "Reset" Ch. 55 Why the West Doesn't Want to Annoy the Kremlin Ch. 56 So, What Should and Should Not Be Done Ch. 57 Uncertainty as a Way to Survive Ch. 58 The Goal of Power Is to Retain Power Ch. 59 Can Russia Be Renewed by Leaving Everything as it Is? Ch. 60 Can Russia Get Out of the Dead End by Itself? Index Back cover Adapted from the Russian edition, this book analyzes the dominant stereotypes and myths that formed during the Putin presidency and that continue to hamper our understanding of Russia's current situation. Author Lilia Shevtsova explains the origins of such political clichés as • Russia is not mature enough for democracy; • Capitalism first, and democracy will follow; • The humiliation of Russia by the West is the key cause of their soured relationship; • Arms talks between Russia and the United States will help to reset the relationship. Shevtsova argues that an anti-mythology campaign is needed to deepen the understanding of Russia both within the Russian Federation and in the West, as well as to help nations build better policies toward Russia. Praise for Lilia Shevtsova's Russia—Lost in Transition "An excellent volume... highly recommended."—Choice Today's Russia proves that appearances can be deceiving. The Kremlin's modernization mantra and liberal rhetoric attempt to keep alive a system based on personalized power. While rapprochement with the West is seen as a way to import technology, attract investment, and gain economically, Russia's elite is trying to protect an anti-Western system that preserves its rule Rejection of political reform in Russia risks the gradual decay of the country or even state collapse. Russia can break this vicious circle only if it rejects personalized power and if the West helps Russia transform economically and politically. --Book Jacket Is it possible to reform the Russian system from the top? Could technological innovation help Russia's political liberalization? What are the domestic roots of Russia's foreign policy and how sustainable is the current reset with the United States? In Lonely Power, adapted from the Russian version, Lilia Shevtsova questions the veracity of clichTs about Russiaùby both insiders and outsidersùand analyzes Russia's trajectory and how the West influences the country's modernization Lilia Shevtsova ; Translated By Antonina W. Bouis. Translated From Russian. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.